Grade 2 student killed by school bus will live on through organ donation

Alexandra Zabjek, Edmonton Journal09.29.2013

Grade 2 student Thomas Wedman on a recent family trip to Tofino, B.C. The St. Albert boy would have turned seven on Oct. 14. He was struck and killed by a school bus while walking to school on Friday, September 27.
/ Supplied

Grade 2 student Thomas Wedman on a recent family trip to Tofino, B.C. The St. Albert boy would have turned seven on Oct. 14. He was struck and killed by a school bus while walking to school on Friday, September 27.
/ Supplied

Grade 2 student Thomas Wedman on a recent family trip to Tofino, B.C. The St. Albert boy would have turned seven on Oct. 14. He was struck and killed by a school bus while walking to school on Friday, September 27.
/ Supplied

Grade 2 student Thomas Wedman on a recent family trip to Tofino, B.C. The St. Albert boy would have turned seven on Oct. 14. He was struck and killed by a school bus while walking to school on Friday, September 27.
/ Supplied

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Abe Cripps walks his daughter Georgia, also in Grade 2, past the scene as police investigate an accident where a Grade 2 student was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Abe Cripps walks his daughter Georgia, also in Grade 2, past the scene as police investigate an accident where a Grade 2 student was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

Police investigate the scene of an accident where a six-year-old Grade 2 boy was struck and killed by a school bus at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road in St. Albert on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

A six-year-old boy in Grade 2 at Ecole Marie Poburan in St. Albert was killed after he was struck by a school bus on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

A six-year-old boy in Grade 2 at Ecole Marie Poburan in St. Albert was killed after he was struck by a school bus on Sept. 27, 2013.John Lucas
/ Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON - A six-year-old boy who died when struck by a school bus Friday in St. Albert has helped better the lives of two other children through the donation of his heart valves.

“It is hoped the love and happiness he always had in his heart will follow to the recipients,” the family of Thomas Wedman said Saturday in a statement.

They described the Grade 2 student as “the happiest little boy in the universe. He filled our lives with pure joy every day and (we’re) devastated that his little life has been cut short,” said the statement, signed by Sheri and Jeff Wedman and their two other sons.

A public memorial service for the boy will be held next Friday at 7:30 p.m. at North Pointe Church, 14025 167th Ave., Advanced Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk said in a tweet sent Sunday.

A school bus loaded with children was travelling southwest on that avenue when it made a right turn onto Woodlands Road, where the boy was crossing. The family has asked that a memorial not be created at the scene of his death where many neighbourhood children — including Thomas’ brothers — walk to school every day. They do not want a memorial to be a constant reminder of what happened.

“His death has left a hole in our hearts that is incomprehensible. Our lives will never be the same and it will take love, faith and time to come to grips with not being able to hold him in our arms anymore,” the family said.

Asking that he be remembered as lovable, fun-loving and free-spirited, the family also thanked friends, relatives and the community for their support. Residents in St. Albert and across the province lit their porch lights Friday night in memory of Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Human Organ Procurement and Exchange Program, which has offices in both Edmonton and Calgary. They ask that donors select the “Designation” drop-down box, select “Other,” then type in the word, “HOPE.”

The location at Woodlands Road where Thomas was crossing the street has a crosswalk, but no lights. The next corner has a pedestrian crossing with lights for Sir Winston Churchill Avenue.

St. Albert parent Cindy De Bruijn, whose son knew Thomas, said she had spoken with his mother several times about student safety on the busy roads.

“In the last year, the mom and I have had multiple conversations about what we could do as a group of parents to make that intersection safe, since nothing has been done,” De Bruijn said.

“It should have never of happened. … I can’t imagine what this family is going through right now.”

Children regularly cross where the boy was hit, she said.

“It’s an extremely busy intersection,” De Bruijn said. “Often, what will happen is cars are quickly turning on the red light, which is meant to be for the crosswalk. So you’re not through the intersection and they’re nipping at your heels.”

Investigators are working to determine who had the right of way, RCMP Const. M.J. Burroughs said. Alcohol was not a factor and there was still no word of charges Saturday morning.

According to the Driver’s Guide to Operation, Safety and Licensing on the Alberta Transportation website, drivers turning right must yield to pedestrians on the cross street. “Do not enter the crosswalk to turn until pedestrians are safely out of the intersection,” the manual says.

Ruth Baars, whose home is beside the accident scene, said the children on the bus were quickly escorted away from the area.

The bus driver was in his late 40s or early 50s, she said. He had his head down as he walked off the bus and paced up and down the street, appearing to be in great distress, Baars said.

Students from the Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools and St. Albert Public Schools were riding the bus, which serves two schools.

Thirty-seven students were registered as riders, although it’s not clear how many were aboard when the boy was hit, said public schools superintendent Barry Wowk. Parents of students on the bus were immediately notified and the school district was providing support to people affected by the incident, he said.

“We are a closely knit school district and we are all feeling this tremendous loss,” Wowk said. “Many lives have been changed today, but we can hope and pray that our community will come together once again to help each other heal.”

Counsellors were at École Marie Poburan on Friday and will be back next week, said David Keohane, superintendent of Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools.

“This accident is an immense loss to all who knew the victim and will have a profound effect on the school,” Keohane said. “Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the family and friends and classmates of this child.”

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